Her Story
About Monique
Monique DaCosta serves as Publisher and Market Leader at Best Version Media, where she has worked for 9 years in the Tulare/Visalia area of California. In her role, she starts her day with a 7:30 a.m. conference call, conducts LinkedIn outreach, makes cold calls, meets clients in person, delivers magazines, and ensures clients use their back office tools effectively. She manages a publication distributed to 5,700 homes that now includes digital and print formats along with websites, display ads, listings, reviews, and Facebook integration. DaCosta built her magazine from the ground up with no prior marketing experience after losing everything in 2017 and briefly working at Valley Yellow Pages. Her educational background is the School of Hard Knocks, supplemented by certifications in interior decorating and photography. She is a member of the local Rotary Club and volunteers with golf tournaments for fallen officers, the Salt and Light nonprofit, and fundraisers for accident victims. DaCosta credits her success to staying positive, keeping her head right, and not taking things personally, advice she also shares with her team and young women entering the industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monique
01What do you attribute your success to?
Staying positive and not taking things personal has been key to my success. I push through challenges without letting negativity affect me, and I focus on replacing any setbacks quickly to keep moving forward in my magazine business.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Staying positive, keeping your head right, and not taking things personal when somebody says no. I stay professional and keep my team positive even when things are negative because living in a negative world pulls your head there too.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay positive and reach out to your mentors. Don't be afraid to ask questions and follow up with others when you need help. I have a younger girl coming to training and she reaches out to me for guidance.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Pricing is a big challenge after merging magazines, but I'm not afraid to give discounts because it's about being there for clients every month, not just making the sale. I visit and check on them regularly.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In work, commitment to my clients who are also my friends, and staying positive to keep the team uplifted. In personal life, family is everything - I enjoy spending time with my grandkids.
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